New campaign fights for cheaper student bus passes, which students could buy at school.

Letters to the editor (May – June 2002)

Readers respond with their thoughts on stories that appeared in our January- February and March – April 2002 issues.

Beautiful boxes

The pages containing beautiful boxes were creative. Pouring our personalities into a tiny box gives others an image of ourselves. Some of the boxes made me laugh, while others made me think about how young students in the fourth or fifth grade can express themselves with such imagination. These artistic boxes were a treat to look at. —Marie Rives, Hollywood HS

Changes at Locke HS

Many people criticize things that they don’t know or understand. They also criticize things because of what they heard from other sources. Lately there have been articles and editorials on issues at Locke HS. People have been making degrading comments saying that it’s a bad school, that it’s like a jailhouse and other things that make the school look bad. One girl wrote an editorial saying that cameras in the hallways are devastating. Just because we have cameras doesn’t mean we’re bad. Places like The White House and hospitals have cameras, and they’re not bad. Cameras at Locke have stopped a lot of graffiti writing on the walls. Our campus looks better ever since the cameras have been installed. —Joseph Murray, Locke HS

I found the L.A. Youth article about Locke HS extremely disturbing. I was most disturbed by the fact that people who don’t even live in the inner city were quoted in the articles. How can they judge what they don’t know or experience? I think these people should take time to come to Locke HS and see what the school is like before making judgements.
Things at Locke HS are improving with our new principal Dr. Garrett. She has motivated us to go to class. The school is improving and soon Locke won’t be known as the ghetto school in Watts.

Next time L.A. Youth writers come to our school, get to know us and listen to students from other schools. Try to get opinions from more schools before making any judgements. I too believe that Bianca Gallegos did not do a good job on the article. She didn’t do it fairly, because she didn’t take both sides of the story. —Rosalba Aguayo, senior class president, Locke HS

He molested me

It was awful how her friend’s father molested her. What kind of sick person does that to a little girl? She was only a 7-year-old, and he had no right to do that. One of my friends was molested once and that’s why I feel so angry toward the guy. It’s good that she wants to tell her mother. Hopefully the man will get what he deserves. —Mitchell Barrera, Hollywood HS

I think it’s sad that these things happen. This world has some horrible people in it. It’s good that this girl finally came out and told her mom this happened, but too bad it wasn’t sooner. Maybe she wasn’t the only girl this evil man tried to touch. Hopefully something is done about this and this man will rot in hell. —Oscar Marron, North HS

I have a friend who was raped by her stepfather. She told her mom. But the sick part is that her mom didn’t believe her. The stepfather is still living at the same house. Now the girl has bad grades and is doing drugs. Parents should always believe their kids and care about their health and studies. If parents don’t care, who will? —Carmen Herrera, Hollywood HS

Your newspaper is full of wonderful young writers, especially the one who won the contest. Her story touched me. It reminded me of how many jerks are out there in this world. I can’t believe there are certain people who do this to other people. I wonder how they sleep at night, knowing they are doing something illegal to minors. —Honeycell Medrano, Hollywood HS

I had a drug problem

This article was touching. I agree that people turn to drugs and hope they’ll solve their problems. Even though drugs may not seem as a big deal when they are taken, during time they show their effects. This person took drugs to fill the empty space that was inside of her. People should find comfort in people, not in drugs. —Rosa Cruz, Hollywood HS I’m a regular girl

What is it with the human minds and their tendency to put people into categories? There is no cookie cutter for any human being. We are all different. Victoria Fine sounds like an extremely wise and down-to-earth girl. I wish more people were as humble as her. —Sharlene Matoalu, North HS (Torrance) Should cell phones be banned in school?

My opinion is that students can have cell phones, but they must be turned off in class. It’s true that some kids get cell phones just to look cool. But parents also support cell phones in school, because they worry that another terrorist attack will happen, and they want to stay in touch with their kids. I don’t have a cell phone, but am planning to get one. —Abraham Tarakchyan, Hollywood HS

I really and truly believe that having a cell phone at school does not hurt or effect anyone in a negative way. I see it as a helpful tool. Parents can leave their kids a message during the day. It’s also beneficial if there is an emergency. —Carlos Aguirre, Vista Del Rio HS

Cell phones have become part of everyday life. Even though they’ve been used for illegal activities, there are many other uses for cell phones these days. Many parents like to know if their child is OK in emergencies like school shootings. I do think cell phones should be turned off in class. But the idea of banning cell phones completely is unrealistic. —Carlos Keadss, Hollywood HS

This is an important subject that’s almost never talked about. I think cell phones are not a necessity, but a luxury. And nothing is luxurious about school. Seeing as school is a necessity, kids should not need to have luxury phones in class. I think phones should be allowed at school but not in class. —Lul Andrieux, 15, Hollywood HS

That’s not funny!

I agree about not joking about the terrorist attacks in September. In the beginning, it was pretty serious. I still can’t believe that day. That was six months ago. We all mourned and will never forget the victims. But we’re OK now and shouldn’t be afraid. That’s not what life is all about. —Sophia Jones, Hollywood HS I’m still the same guy

This article got me thinking. I also have friends who are overweight and make fun of them as a joke or a friendly gesture. But now I can see those comments hurt their feelings, even though I wasn’t trying to do that. Now I will not judge them by their looks anymore. —Jiva Kim, Hollywood HS

I think it’s cruel and unkind to make fun of people because they have a weight problem. Thin or overweight, you should be treated the same way. No difference. People should look at what’s inside, not the outside. They should realize that those cruel jokes really hurt peoples’ feelings. —Patricia Castro, Hollywood HS

Does Weight Matter?

Both of these articles were about people who wanted to lose weight. It got me angry that there wasn’t anything positive about people just wanting to be who they want to be. I have been big all my life and like being big. It feels great. —Steve Quenga, Vista Del Rio HS

It’s very hard to associate with people when you’re overweight. Having all those people looking at you is very hard to put up with. I give the guy a lot of credit for putting up with it. —Edgar Gonzalez, Hollywood HS

My weight was eating away at me

People should not lose weight because of parents, friends or guys. You should do this for yourself, and if you want to lose weight because you want to look good or feel good, then go ahead and do it. Do this for you—not for other people. —Laura Diaz, Hollywood HS

I like this article, because I can relate to this girl in a way. I’ve tried many ways to lose weight. I lose weight but then I gain it. But I think what matters is the inside and not the outside. People should like you because of the way you are and not the way you look. —Jaymie Zelaya, Hollywood HS